“Lee,” said Linis. “We have a favor to ask.”
“I’ll help if I can,” he replied.
Linis took Dina’s hand and looked into her eyes. “We ask that you watch over our sister and protect her,” he said. “Kaylia has told us that you are strong and honorable, and that your skill in battle is great. She is the future of both races, and she needs such a guardian.”
Lee smiled broadly. “You need not ask,” he said. “But I will swear to it.”
“Your friends are of great worth,” Linis told Dina. “Keep them close.”
Dina nodded and embraced him tightly.
When the others awoke, Dina told them excitedly what had happened. Maybell hugged her repeatedly, while Gewey and Millet looked on happily. They promised her they too would help find her mother when the time came.
“It’s like I have a family for the first time,” Dina told Gewey as they walked on. “All my life I’ve been afraid of being discovered. I still can’t be out in the open, but I have part of my heritage back.”
“I’m happy for you,” Gewey said. His words were sincere, but he couldn’t help but envy her newfound sense of belonging.
“We will take you as far as Gristol,” Linis announced when they stopped for a midday meal. “We have brethren there that will help you.”
“You won’t be joining us the whole way?” asked Gewey.
“Unfortunately, we have other tasks we can’t ignore,” Linis replied. “But we will be leaving you in good hands.”
“That will be perfect,” Maybell announced, tearing off a piece of flatbread. “Though I am sad to leave your company.”
“As am I,” said Linis. “You would honor me with your company as we walk. I refuse to pass up the opportunity to speak to a human who has seen as much of your world as you have.”
“Keep talking like that and you’ll have me driving you mad with my stories,” she said cheerfully.
“Nonsense,” he replied. “Most of the humans we know are too young to have seen the changing world. To us, you contain a wealth of knowledge that we would prefer not to do without. It is two weeks to Gristol, and you will find that I will not tire of your stories.”
“Don’t say that I didn’t warn you,” laughed Maybell.
Chapter 20
For the next several days, they followed Linis and his Seekers along little known trails and paths. The going was easy and everyone was in good spirits.
Dina spent most of her time among the elves, laughing and talking. Linis offered to assist Kaylia with Gewey’s training. She gratefully accepted, though it made Gewey feel uneasy. Linis remarked on how much Gewey had learned, and how quickly he mastered difficult techniques, but to Gewey’s relief, he didn’t ask any difficult questions that would force him to lie.
True to her word, Maybell walked with Linis, regaling him with story after story about the life she had lived and the things she had seen. The elf listened attentively without ever seeming to tire of her tales, despite the woman’s apparent ability to speak for hours without pausing.
Millet spent much of his time with Prustos, who as it turned out was an expert in herbal cures and remedies. He showed Millet several common plants and mosses that had healing properties, and could be used to save lives if one were injured in the wilderness.
Lee continued to work with Gewey on drawing power from the earth, but Gewey was careful to take it slowly. After four days, he was able to control the flow of the power, even allowing it to enter into his body. The feeling was amazing. He felt invulnerable. Lee warned him not to take in too much too quickly, but Gewey couldn’t help but want more.
On the fifth day, Gewey completely opened himself to the strength and energy of the earth. At first, he felt invigorated, but eventually the power overwhelmed him, knocking him to the ground. Lee helped him to his feet, reprimanding him sharply for such irresponsible behavior; secretly, however, he was pleased with Gewey’s progress.
By the eighth day, Gewey was feeling as if he had no troubles at all. Linis was unbelievably adept at finding the easiest routes through the forest, making a full day’s march seem like a leisurely stroll down a well-paved road. Laughter and storytelling was a matter of course as they sat next to the fire each evening.
It was just after noon on the tenth day when things changed. Maybell was describing the Temple of the Far Sky to Linis, when he suddenly stiffened and commanded everyone to halt and be silent. The other elves-including Kaylia-rushed to Linis’ side, hands on their knives. Lee drew his sword and motioned for Millet, Gewey, Dina, and Maybell to move behind him.
“What is it?” Lee whispered.
“An elf approaches,” Linis replied.
“Do you think the others caught up with us?” Gewey asked. He pulled out his own knife, holding it loosely as Linis had taught him.
“No,” Linis replied warily. “I would have known if they were on our trail. Whoever this is, he wants us to know he’s here.”
The tension grew as their eyes focused on the forest ahead. A cloaked figure appeared from behind a young pine less than fifty feet away. His face was hidden beneath his hood, but Gewey could feel his gaze bearing down on them. He was shorter than Linis, and leaner, and he wore a short knife that peeked out from beneath his cloak.
“Berathis,” Linis said under his breath.
“Greetings, Linis,” said the figure. His voice was deep and menacing.
“How long have you been following us?” Linis asked.
“Quite some time,” Berathis answered.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“You know what I want. Give her to me, and I will spare the rest. I have no desire to see your blood flow.”
“Then leave us in peace,” said Linis.
Berathis pushed back his hood. His long white hair was pulled tight in a single braid that fell down his back. His face was smooth and ageless, but Gewey guessed he was much older than the other elves.
“You know I cannot,” Berathis said. “You must yield.”
Linis’ face was twisted in a pained grimace. “You taught me well,” he said sadly. “I cannot yield my honor, even if it means I must face you.”
Berathis’ face showed both sorrow and pride as he looked at Linis. “You were always my best pupil. It saddens me to have to do this to you, Linis. It’s not too late; you can still return to us.”
“No,” Linis answered with resolve. “It is too late for that. Things must change. I must follow the path my heart has shown me.”
Berathis nodded and said, “I understand. I give you one hour. Then I shall return.”
Linis and the other elves bowed, and then watched silently as Berathis disappeared into the forest.
“Who was that?” Gewey asked. “And what happens in an hour?”
“Berathis is the greatest of all the Seekers,” Linis explained. “He comes for Kaylia.”
“He’s only one elf,” Gewey noted. “Surely we can stop him.”
Linis shook his head slowly. “Berathis has spared us until now. He could kill us all at any time, and we could do nothing to stop him.”
“What happens now?” asked Lee, sheathing his sword.
“He chooses to face us openly,” Linis told them. “One of us must fight him.”
“And what if he wins?” Millet asked.
Linis’ face turned grave. “Then we must turn Kaylia over to him.”
“No!” Gewey cried. “I don’t care what happens. He’s not taking Kaylia anywhere.”
“I appreciate your loyalty,” Kaylia said. “But if Berathis defeats our champion and I refuse to go with him, he will kill us all-one by one-until I comply.”
“She speaks the truth,” Linis agreed. “That he hasn’t moved against us is only because he knows I will honor my word. If we lose, Kaylia must go.”
Lee stepped forward. “I’ll fight him,” he volunteered.
Linis looked at Lee with admiration. “I cannot allow that. From what Kaylia has told me, you are an extremely skilled fighter. But Berathis is no human opponent; even among the elves, his skills are feared. I’m afraid it must be one of us.”